Jedariart is all set to represent Qatar overseas!
Jedariart, a Qatari public art initiative that brings Qatari artists and mural art to the United States, was announced as part of Qatar – USA 2021 Year of Culture on Sunday (August 29). Artist Fatima al-Sharshani will create a new mural at 636 SE 10th Ave, in conjunction with the Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA). As part of the Year of Culture project, Jedariart will be touring overseas for the first time this year.
Work ‘The Never-Ending You’ is a representation of infinity and continuities. Founder of Qaif, a calligraphy company, Al-Sharshani has been working in calligraphy art since 2011. In The Never-Ending You, Arabic letters are combined into a circle form to express continuity. As a result of the inner depth of the circle, we are reminded of infinity and the never-ending force within us.
PSAA, like Jedariart, was founded to enhance street art culture and enable artists to influence the locations where they live and work. Isis Fisher, John Vance, Daniel Santollo, Sunny Beard, Rupezzy and others will also contribute murals to the Central Eastside Industrial District, including al-Sharshani. While Jedariart will be shown in the United States and Qatar this year, it is only one of many programmes that will be shown in these countries.
“We are so excited to continue the Jedariart programme throughout the US, by introducing talented Qatar-based artists like Fatima al-Sharshani to the US, we’re continuing to build the Years of Culture programme and create a mutual partnership and understanding between the US and Qatar cultures,” said Aisha al-Attiya, head of Qatar Museum’s (QM) Years of Culture.
The list of selected 2020 participants includes Nada Khozestani, whose mural “Ladies in Batoola” is currently on display at the Doha Fire Station, as well as Mubarak al-Malik, Huda Basahal, Noura al-Mansoori, Dimitrije Bugarski, Sharefa al-Mannai, Thamer al-Dossari, Muna al-Bader, Fatima al-Sharshani, Michael Perrone, Maryam al-Maadhadi, Shuaa al-Kuwari, Abdulaziz Yousef, Abdulla al-Emadi, Alanoud al-Ghamdi, Haifa al-Khuzaei and Aisha al-Fadhala.
“I am incredibly proud and grateful for this opportunity to represent my country, Qatar, abroad in the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, I am honoured to share my story through art and highlight the beauty of Arabic calligraphy on the walls of Portland,” said al-Sharshani.
QM’s Jedariart programme, under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Khalif bin Khalifa al-Thani, is an annual event in Qatar that will add colour and meaning to the walls of Doha through murals, encouraging individuals to reflect on social, historical and cultural conversations. The programme will run from 2020 to 2021. QM announced an Open Call for Doha’s aspiring and established artists to submit proposals as part of the initiative’s selection process.
In addition to Portland, Oregon, Jedariart will visit a number of other cities in the United States. There will be a different Qatari artist at each destination of the trip, all of whom celebrate Qatari culture and traditions, and all of whom encourage curiosity via their delightfully unique pieces.
